Disorderly Conduct

Although a misdemeanor, a disorderly conduct conviction carries both criminal and collateral consequences. You could be sentenced to jail time, community service, fines, probation, and a permanent criminal record. Also, because disorderly conduct is a criminal offense, a conviction can create long-term difficulties in obtaining employment and finding housing. To challenge these charges you need an experienced attorney on your side.

Jeff Dean has had great success defending people charged with disorderly conduct. Jeff was widely recognized for winning a disorderly conduct case in the Minnesota airport sex sting that snared United States Senator Larry Craig and many others. Jeff’s client was charged with Disorderly Conduct and Interference with Privacy after an undercover police officer claimed that the client looked into his bathroom stall. All of the others arrested in the sting – including Senator Larry Craig – were convicted. Jeff Dean was the only lawyer to take the case to trial and he won NOT GUILTY verdicts on both counts.

Jeff has won outright dismissals of charges in numerous types of disorderly conduct cases. In many other cases he has negotiated resolutions where his clients paid a small fine in exchange for the disorderly conduct charges being dismissed with no criminal record.

In your case, Jeff will determine the best defense strategy for a successful outcome. He may show that you did not have the intent to engage in the prohibited conduct, that the state cannot prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, that others were not alarmed by your conduct, or, if applicable, that you were entrapped.

Do not try to handle your case without an experienced attorney. Unfortunately, there have been many people in Minnesota who have pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct just because they thought a disorderly conduct was “not a big deal,” and wanted to get the case behind them, only to discover later that their criminal record is a serious mark against them when looking for employment or seeking housing.

To protect your future, call Jeff Dean today: (612) 305-4360

Disorderly Conduct Information

Under Minnesota Statute §609.72, disorderly conduct is as an act that tends to disturb, anger, or alarm others, or that tends to provoke an assault or a breach of peace.

It is also an offense in which an individual knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly does one or more of the following:

Commits indecent exposure and conduct;

Disturbs a meeting or assembly, not unlawful in its character;

Engages in fighting or brawling;

Engages in obscene, offensive, abusive, noisy or boisterous conduct or language that reasonably arouses anger, alarm or resentment in others

Disorderly conduct may occur in a private or public place, and could take the form of fighting in the street, playing loud music late at night, or rowdy behavior at a party. It takes very little to be charged with disorderly conduct, and so it is a common alleged offense throughout Minnesota.

Penalties for disorderly conduct include imprisonment of up to 90 days and/or a $1,000 fine.